Garment cinching apparatus

ABSTRACT

A apparatus for use with garments, such as tee shirts, or other clothing fabric or materials, which pulls the garment tighter to the wearer&#39;s body without slipping off the garment. The apparatus consists of a single unit with multiple inner members and a relatively thicker outer perimeter. The inner members are spaced apart, leaving an opening through which a portion of the tee shirt, garment or material is inserted. The tee shirt, garment or material is then pulled through the opening to achieve the desired effect. The flexibility of the inner members must permit the tee shirt, garment or material to pass through the apparatus, but be sufficiently strong to hold the apparatus in place for an extended period of time and through vigorous activity.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/090,121 filed Aug. 19, 2008, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a cinching apparatus for use in connection with tee shirts, garments, and other clothing fabric or material, and more particularly to the practice of gathering such garments or material to tighten or shorten them for reasons of style or function.

SUMMARY

The invention provides a garment cinching apparatus comprising a structure having an interior surface defining an opening, the opening including a center. The invention also provides a plurality of resilient members integrally formed with the structure and extending from the interior surface toward the center of the opening so that a portion of the garment pulled through the opening is secured therein by the resilient members to cinch the garment around the individual wearing the garment.

In another form, the invention provides A garment cinching apparatus comprising a generally rigid ring structure having a thickness, an interior surface defining an opening, and an exterior surface. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of resilient members having a thickness less than and being integrally formed with the ring structure, and being spaced from one another around the interior surface and extending from the interior surface into the opening so that a portion of the garment pulled through the opening is secured therein by the resilient members to cinch the garment around the individual wearing the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the use of an apparatus embodying the invention with a conventional shirt.

FIG. 1A illustrates a more detailed view of the use of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates the use of the apparatus in connection with a scarf or shawl.

FIG. 12 illustrates the use of the apparatus in connection with a bandana.

FIG. 13 illustrates the use of the apparatus in connection with a dress.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of constriction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. The drawings of the present invention demonstrate some of the ways the apparatus can be customized. Other shapes, slogans, colors, prints, designs and additions are anticipated, however, the particular shape, slogan, color, print, design or addition is not critical to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 1A show an embodiment of a garment cinching apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 20 permits users to custom fit common tee shirts or other garments 21 by making them closer to the body and/or shorter on the body. Uses include as a fashion accessory, as an apparatus to make a garment more stylish, or for securing excess fabric during exercise, during athletics, or at work. In work, exercise, or athletic applications, the apparatus 20 keeps the garment 21 from interfering with the user's activities. A portion of the tee shirt or other similar garment 22 is pulled through the apparatus 20, with the apparatus remaining securely in place.

FIGS. 2-4 show detailed views of a garment cinching apparatus. The apparatus comprises a generally circular or ring structure 25 having an interior surface 24 defining an opening. The opening includes a center 27 (shown only in FIG. 3); and a plurality of resilient members 23 integrally formed with the structure 25 and extending from the interior surface 24 toward the center 27 of the opening so that, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, a portion of the garment 22 pulled through the opening is secured therein by the resilient members 23 to cinch the garment around the individual 26 wearing the garment.

The resilient members 23 have a thickness less than the thickness of the ring structure 25, so that the ring structure 25 is generally rigid, and the resilient members 23 are generally flexible relative to the ring structure 25. The resilient members 23 are spaced from one another around the opening.

The garment cinching apparatus 20 is formed from a one of rigid plastic, rubber, rigid foam, or other material capable of being molded into a single unit. The apparatus 20 is constructed of a material that provides sufficient strength to stay in place while at the same time remaining flexible enough to avoid damaging the garment 21.

The apparatus 20 also includes an exterior surface 28. The exterior surface may be customized and include ornamentation. The outer perimeter or ring 25 is generally circular in the drawings, but can be other shapes, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 (which show a star). The figures also illustrate various ornamentation, none of which is critical to the invention. In FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the ornamentation 30 is in the shape of a flower. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment that has no ornamentation extending outwardly from the exterior surface 28, rendering the design simply circular.

The apparatus 20 may be further customized using different colors, either by using different colors of plastic, or other material, in the manufacturing process or by printing patterns or designs on the apparatus 20. The apparatus 20 may be further customized using stickers, charms, rhinestones, plastic jewels or beads, or ribbons. The apparatus 20 may also be imprinted with different patterns, such as animal patterns or other patterns to make the apparatus 20 look as if it is made of a different material. The apparatus 20 may be further customized using various clips, pins, shapes, designs, or other devices, affixed, glued, tied or snapped to the apparatus 20. The customization may be provided during the manufacturing process or by the consumer.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 11, 12, and 13, the apparatus 20 can be used as an accessory to make loose fitting garments 21 tighter for fashion or convenience. The apparatus 20 can be used as a fashion accessory to complement an outfit.

The garment cinching apparatus 20 may be customized through imprinting or printing a logo, name, or slogan, as in FIG. 5. The apparatus 20 is customizable for fashion, advertising or personal purposes. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the apparatus imprinted with a logo, the name of a school, company, slogan or event 29. The logo, school name, company name, slogan, or event 29 can be molded into the apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, or can be printed on the apparatus itself, or affixed to the apparatus using a printed adhesive label or sticker.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

1. A garment cinching apparatus comprising: a structure having an interior surface defining an opening, the opening including a center; and a plurality of resilient members integrally formed with the structure and extending from the interior surface toward the center of the opening so that a portion of the garment pulled through the opening is secured therein by the resilient members to cinch the garment around the individual wearing the garment.
 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the structure is generally in the shape of a ring defining the opening, wherein the ring has a thickness and wherein the resilient members have a thickness less than the thickness of the ring, so that the ring structure is generally rigid, and the resilient members are generally flexible relative to the ring structure.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the resilient members are spaced from one another around the opening.
 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is formed from a one of resilient plastic, rubber, or rigid foam.
 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the structure further comprises an exterior surface and ornamentation connected to the exterior surface.
 6. A garment cinching apparatus comprising: a generally rigid ring structure having a thickness, an interior surface defining an opening, and an exterior surface; and a plurality of resilient members having a thickness less than and being integrally formed with the ring structure, and being spaced from one another around the interior surface and extending from the interior surface into the opening so that a portion of the garment pulled through the opening is secured therein by the resilient members to cinch the garment around the individual wearing the garment. 